One click of the mouse—sometimes that’s all it takes to lose something infinitely precious. Your written memories, your family photos, your money...even your identity.

Minister of Public Safety, the Honourable Vic Toews recently launched Cyber Security Awareness month by encouraging people to connect with Get Cyber Safe. Get Cyber Safe is the Government’s national public awareness initiative, and its intent is to help Canadians protect themselves and their families against online threats of many kinds.

People without a suspicious nature imagine that because they don’t use the computer for banking or business, they’re safe online. Cyber-criminals target people like that. James (not his actual name), a senior member of this constituency, came close to having his identity stolen last year. He received what seemed to be an official Revenue Canada form by email, requesting sensitive financial and personal information. Thinking it genuine, he completed the form and submitted it.

Within the hour, he had second thoughts and immediately reported the scam to his local RCMP, who directed him to the government website: www.antifraudcentre.ca. There he found information and instructions as to next steps. His quick actions, which included contacting his credit companies to halt transactions, changing passwords, and freezing (eventually changing) bank accounts, likely prevented a far worse scenario. Even so, he felt violated, guilty, and foolish. It took several stressful months to make all the necessary changes to once again secure his accounts and identity.

The internet is a vital—and sharp—tool for today’s connected world. Like all tools, it requires knowledge and good managing for safe handling. Keeping our online habits safe is as essential as keeping our homes secure.

Whether you use the internet for personal or business reasons, the government would like to keep you safe online. Here are a few widely known, but unfortunately less widely practiced tips to keep your “door to the world” protected.

• Change your passwords frequently.
• Update your anti-virus protection software.
• Use a secure wireless network.
• Learn to recognize and not respond to Internet scams.
• Be extremely discreet with information and photos you share online

Visit GetCyberSafe.ca to stay educated about those threats. The site holds valuable information for individuals and businesses to help decrease your online risks, as well as a free toolkit to help you promote cyber-safety through your own channels and activities.

To learn more about Canada’s Cyber Security Strategy, visit www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cyber.

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The audio version of Garry's Oct. 15, 2012 op-ed column can be heard by clicking here